Camping with kids is an adventure, and keeping them fuelled and energised throughout the day is essential. For this reason, knowing some easy meals when camping is a godsend.
There is no doubt about it, camp-side cooking can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to come up with meals that are easy, nutritious, and appeal to your little ones’ taste buds. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious and simple meal options that will keep the whole family happy and satisfied without requiring hours of preparation or a lot of fancy equipment.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a first-timer, these easy meal ideas will make your next camping trip a breeze. So, prepare to fire up the camp stove and produce some tasty meals that will have your kids asking for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
Easy meals when camping with kids: Savoury dishes
Campfire nachos
Nachos are always a hit anytime of the day but never more so than when feeding hungry tummies in the outdoors. Swap up the recipes to include your kids favourite toppings. No cutlery required!
Get the recipe here: Campfire grilled nachos
One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Apologies in advance to the Italians, but this one-pot tomato basil pasta is easy-to-cook and incredibly filling. You can make this recipe even easier by using any kind of pasta, pre-made sauce and tossing in any ingredient your kids love.
Get the recipe here: One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Southwest Sweet Potato Bean Burger
Don’t leave vegan kids out! Burgers are incredibly easy-to-make and filling. If you don’t have the time to whip up the patty from scratch, there are already lots of super yummy plant-based burger options in grocery stores.
Get the recipe here: Southwest Sweet Potato Bean Burger
Frankfurts in Damper
I don’t know about you, but as for me and my family, hotdogs are a camping fixture. Of course, you can also enjoy toasting them on the bonfire, but this recipe takes it up to a notch. Regular hotdogs or plant-based hotdogs will totally work!
Get the recipe here: Taste AU
Chilli Cheese Fries
Who said you can’t make cheese fries in the woods? This recipe is dead simple and sure to be a hit for your little junk foodies. This is definitely not healthy, but not too unhealthy either. But you can always try to make it healthier by adding toppings like chopped up lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and bottled olives.
Get the recipe here: Chilli Cheese Fries
Camp Cooker Pizza Pie
Pizza crust dough, shredded mozzarella, sliced pepperoni, and pizza sauce – how can yumminess get any easier? This camp pizza is so easy to assemble and cook in under 20 minutes! Seriously, what kid or kid-at-heart can resist pizza?
Get the recipe here: Camp Cooker Pizza Pie
Campfire Potatoes
Hot, savoury, with a kick of cayenne, I guarantee you’ll have more potatoes than steak with this perfect side dish. If you’re not up for potatoes, try sweet potatoes or kielbasa, or add on some sliced sausages. Don’t forget to load up on butter and onions! The perfect easy meal when camping.
Get the recipe here: Bon Appetit
Italian Meatball Kabobs
Here’s a recipe for a sneakily healthy handheld meal on a stick! To save time and keep your ingredients fresh, you can cut up the vegetables on the campsite. You can shape and freeze the meatballs beforehand then skewer everything together just before grilling.
Get the recipe here: Italian Meatball Kabobs
Muffin Tin Eggs on the Campfire
Just because you’re in the campsite doesn’t mean you can’t have something fancy! These muffin tin eggs make for a great, protein-rich breakfast. Pack a muffin tin for this almost bite-sized goodies. Top your eggs with bacon crumbles, sliced sausages, and chopped up fresh veggies!
Get the recipe here: Muffin Tin Eggs on the Campfire
Seared Cod with Potato and Chorizo
Get the recipe here: Bon Appetit
Easy meals for camping with family
Brats with Peppers and Onions
Don’t worry, I don’t mean those catty little versions of us. Bratwursts or brats are German pork sausages that can be either fried and grilled. You can top them with lots of caramelised onions or peppers or anything your kids would love! Leftover sausages can go to next morning’s breakfast!
Get the recipe here: Brats with Peppers and Onions
One Pot Chilli Mac
For my house, anything one pot is perfect for camping. It combines two of America’s favourites, chilli and mac, which will surely find a place in your heart and tummy, too. This recipe is creamy, with a hint of spice, and lots of toppings.
Get the recipe here: One Pot Chilli Mac
Camping-Style Budae Jjihae
Get your and your teens’ Korean fix with this loaded instant noodle soup. For something cozy and hearty, why not try this hearty noodle soup for your next adventure? It requires minimal effort, minimal equipment, and minimal ingredients. You can easily swap ingredients with whatever’s available: leftover sausages, greens of your choice, or make it plant-based. Plus, there’s no need to drain the noodles – it’s meant to be brothy!
Get the recipe here: Food Network
Snags with Onions
Grilled Australian sausage sandwiches on camping? Count me in! They’re easy to prep and incredibly yummy. The recipe calls for beer, but you can absolutely skip it to make your snags kid-friendly.
Get the recipe here: Taste AU
Frito Pie
Now, camping is supposed to be fun, and for some of us, a bag of Fritos can be just that. Also called a walking taco, all you need to do is open a bag and top with chilli and your favourite trimmings. Your kids would surely love that they get to have their favourite corn chips.
Get the recipe pie: Frito Pie
Easy meals when camping with kids: Desserts
Chocolate fondue & toasted marshmallow
What is a camping trip without toasted marshmallows? Yummy dessert takes it to the next level with a delicious chocolate fondue which is oh-s0-easy to make. A absolute must for when it comes to easy meals for camping with family.
Get the recipe here: BBC Good Food
Oreo Cookie Skillet
I love skillet cookies and they are perfect for the outdoors, too! It has all of what kids and kids at heart love: cookies, Oreos, and marshmallow.
Get the Recipe Here: Delish
Campfire Cinnamon Rolls
Tired of s’mores? If you fancy something fancier than the usual camping fare, these cinnamon rolls are a surefire hit.
Get the recipe here: Delish
Peanut Butter Oreo Icebox Cake
Your kids will surely love something cool after a long day of activities. This peanut butter Oreo icebox cake will make them looking forward to finish all their adventures. To save time from prep, make it ahead at home and pop in your cooler.
Get the recipe here: Delish
French Toast Foil
This camping twist on everyone’s favourite breakfast is so easy to make and even healthier than your regular French toast. You can also have some eggs on the side for those who’d want to have extra protein.
Get the recipe here: Food Network
Tropical Breakfast Bars
Breakfast bars are great as a grab-and-go snack, for when the kids can’t wait to start their day. You can pack them individually in wax paper and slip into your kid’s backpack for an emergency snack.
Get the recipe here: BBC Good Food
Carrot Cake Flapjacks
Carrot cake is absolutely a household favourite, and turning them into flapjacks has made it easier to enjoy them anytime my daughters want – even on a camping trip! Like the breakfast bars above, I wrap leftovers in wax paper and pop them in my kids’ bags for a quick snack.
Get the recipe here: BBC Good Food
S’mores Three Ways
S’mores are still a campfire fixture. Upgrade your s’mores game with these three twists to everyone’s favourite grilled marshmallows.
Get the recipe here: Country Living
Instant Pot Banana Bread
If you have access to electricity in the campsite, why not make banana bread in your Instant Pot? It’s great to make on the last day of the trip to use up those overripe bananas.
Get the recipe here: The Spruce Eats
Peach-Blackberry Camp Cake
It’s impossible to mess up this skillet cake, making it perfect to cook in the campsite even for newbie campers. You can also switch the fruit to your favourites.
Get the recipe here: Bon Appetit
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Me and my daughters love waking up to a mug of hot chocolate. You can turn up the cozy on your family’s camping trip with this recipe. It’s a great way to warm the tummy and wake up their sleepy senses.
Get the recipe here: Wilton
Smores Bites
Me and my kids call these “graham balls” and we used to make it all the time in the past. Easy-to-make, easy-to-eat, and they last the whole trip! These S’mores Bites are also a great way for the kids to help in preparing your dinner.
Get the recipe here: Wilton
No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
How can we forget no bake cookies? Great as a make ahead or on-site, you can swap the microwave portion of the instructions with the grill. Great to make with the kids as an end-of-the-day additional activity, too.
Get the recipe here: Wilton
Banana Split
This recipe is like S’mores but with bananas. If you haven’t tried roasting your ripe bananas before, you’re missing out on all the sweetness and flavour. It’s super easy to prep and almost impossible to screw up.
Get the recipe from: AllRecipes
Campfire Peach Cobbler
Yes, another peach cobbler and I’m not apologising. This is super easy to make, warm, and enjoyable. You can even make smaller individual batches using a muffin tin!
Get the recipe here: Taste of Home
HANDY TIPS FOR CREATING EASY MEALS WHILE CAMPING
Preparing food while camping can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to cooking in the great outdoors. For this reason here are some tips make sure every meal is a success.
- Pack the right gear: Make sure you have all the necessary cooking gear, including a stove, pots and pans, utensils, and a cooler to keep your food fresh. Don’t forget to bring plenty of fuel for your stove. Oh a storage containers to keep food fresh.
- Plan ahead: Before you head out on your camping trip, make a meal plan and a shopping list. This will help you avoid overpacking and ensure that you have all the ingredients and equipment you need for the duration of your camping trip.
- Keep it simple: Stick to simple, easy meals while camping that don’t require a lot of preparation. Any of the ones on this list would be ideal.
- Prep ahead of time: If possible, do some of the meal prep ahead of time at home. This could include cutting up vegetables, marinating meat, or pre-cooking rice or pasta. Remember you want to enjoy this camping trip, not spend the whole time preparing meals.
- Use foil packets: Foil packets are a great way to cook food over a campfire or on a grill. Simply wrap up your ingredients in aluminium foil and cook over the fire for an easy, mess-free meal. You can grab them at your local supermarket or dollar store.
- Practice food safety: Always wash your hands before handling food and use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables. Make sure to keep perishable food in a cooler with plenty of ice, and check the temperature regularly to make sure it stays below 40°F. This is especially important if you are camping in the heat.
